Sergey Tokarev and STEM is FEM hold an exhibition “SHE is SCIENCE” in Kyiv

The project “SHE is SCIENCE” aims to tell the public about the contribution of Ukrainian women scientists to the development of world science. The first event of the project was a pre-premiere art exhibition of 12 portraits of Ukrainian women scientists accompanied by information about their achievements.

According to STEM is FEM initiator and Gen IT founder Sergey Tokarev, the topic of the exhibition is extremely relevant as the problem of gender inequality remains quite acute in modern society, and in the scientific field in particular.

‘Once, we conducted an experiment: we asked people to name prominent Ukrainian scientists. Everyone quickly recalled Korolev, Vernadsky, Sikorsky, and no one could name any women scientists. We thought it shouldn’t be like this. This is how this project was born,’ said Sergey Tokarev.

The portraits’ heroines also took part in the meeting. Scientists talked about their careers in science and inspired the listeners to choose the future at the call of their hearts and avoid being discouraged by stereotypes.

In turn, the young listeners assured that they were ready to fight gender stereotypes. STEM is FEM graduate Maria Kalinichenko noted that she considered it a personal challenge.

‘I am not offended by the wow-effect of being a “girl with a drill.” It’s rather a compliment. I understand that our society still believes that girls and the tech industry are incompatible concepts, but when people see people like me, it inspires and changes them,’ said Maria.

In addition to the exhibition, the project also conducted a competition for creative essays about the exhibition heroines.